I agree with naiadknight. If they're going in many different directions and need to be able to contact you for a ride or to let you know that the volleyball practice is running late, then a non-smartphone might be a good idea. I don't even like the ability to text; if they need to contact you, they can call and talk real-time, or leave a voicemail.

My kids were adults before smartphones were invented. *I* didn't even have a cell phone when they were teenagers. You know what? We managed just fine, even in emergencies.

And I'm not sure it's entirely about whether you can trust them now, and not trust them when they're older. There are a lot of nasty people out there who take advantage of kids, no matter what age the kids are. Smartphones have built-in GPS and a halfway techy-intelligent stalker can use that to track down someone.

Your kids will probably think you're mean, but mine did, too (over other topics). Now that they're adults they understand good work ethics, appreciate what they have to work for themselves, and they thank me for having been a Mean Mom.

You might tell them that when they get older and demonstrate both actual NEED and responsibility, then MAYBE you'll consider getting them phones/smartphones. And conversely, phones can be taken away as punishment for infractions, AFTER they've proven they're responsible enough to have them.

The average kid with a phone that texts, has 3000 texts a month. Kids today would rather text than talk.... you have to trust me on that one. It's a fact. My kids don't even know the phone numbers of their friends, but they sure as hell know their text numbers. Personally, I HATE texting. I believe it is a curse to humanity, as it severely curtails the ability to communicate.... but w/o texting, kids today would be left out, almost like an outcast. I have to MAKE my kids call people.

Start Date 9.24.12Starting weight 285ish ( scale is acting funny so I don't trust it, but 285 is close )CW - 271 pounds
First Goal - 255 by 2013
Main Goal - To be healthy for my family... I have an awesome family.
Other Goal - to get off some medications
Final goal - to get to about 180 pounds by 2014
NEW GOAL - When I can start a new journal called "Your dad is not so fat!"

My personal opinion-- I think 11 is too young for cell phones. I don't see a good reason for it. I also don't think children need to have something just because they want it and everyone else seems to have it.

I have 3 kids. My son and I got a cell phone at the same time. He was 16 and had just got his driver's license. My daughters (twins) got his hand me down phone, to share, 2 years later. They were 14 and walking to/from school. My daughters got their own phones when they got their licenses, again at 16.

My son's first phone had text message privileges until he abused that privilege. After that texting wasn't an option for him until he got his own phone. My daughters got texting privileges at 16 and iphones almost 2 years ago. They were 21.

Well, my choice really is not whether they should have a phone, to be honest. I do think them having a phone is a good idea.... the real question is whether they get a smartphone.

To an above poster.... No you can't get a smartphone w/o a data package.

BTW, I know I am different than most of you. I am a tech geek.....

22 years working in TV
1 year in radio
electronics sales in retail
A DJ since I was 14 years old
Managed an AV department for a convention center
My first computer was a Commodore VIC 20. I think it could display 8 or 16 colors, LOL. It used 5.25" floppy discs.
I have owned a VCR back when a VCR cost over $500.

I'm a tech geek, and have raised my kids with lots of tech.

Last edited by Primal Papa; 11-18-2012 at 11:41 AM.

Start Date 9.24.12Starting weight 285ish ( scale is acting funny so I don't trust it, but 285 is close )CW - 271 pounds
First Goal - 255 by 2013
Main Goal - To be healthy for my family... I have an awesome family.
Other Goal - to get off some medications
Final goal - to get to about 180 pounds by 2014
NEW GOAL - When I can start a new journal called "Your dad is not so fat!"

Well, my choice really is not whether they should have a phone, to be honest. I do think them having a phone is a good idea.... the real question is whether they get a smartphone.

To an above poster.... No you can't get a smartphone w/o a data package.
.

Why would any 11 year old NEED a smartphone?

There are a lot of horrible people in this world. I am aware of someone who pretended to be a teenager just to have very inappropriate "relationships" via tech gadgets with very young girls such as yours. Is getting them what they want worth the possible risk?

While I do have concerns about such relationships, that already can happen on our home PC, on their iTouch, or at someone else's house..... Should I lock them in a dungeon til they are 18?

Start Date 9.24.12Starting weight 285ish ( scale is acting funny so I don't trust it, but 285 is close )CW - 271 pounds
First Goal - 255 by 2013
Main Goal - To be healthy for my family... I have an awesome family.
Other Goal - to get off some medications
Final goal - to get to about 180 pounds by 2014
NEW GOAL - When I can start a new journal called "Your dad is not so fat!"

PP, you know your kids/your finances/your preferences better than anyone. Do what you feel is right re: getting them a phone or not. I'm kind of surprised about the piling on here. I don't have kids, so I won't offer any advice beyond my general grouchiness about how many kids have smartphones at a really young age. Some kids do great with having responsibilities like that, some don't.